Should we really be discussing?

I was talking with my father in the car a few days ago, listening to some Republican jibber jabber on the radio, and having a chat with him about some silly political thing, I mentioned discussing the same thing with others on the internet(lol this site), and he said that we teenagers shouldn't feel we need to discuss these things, and that we shouldn't concern ourselves with these topics because they have nothing to do with us. He also mentioned not questioning things like sexuality or the government, as that only leads down bad roads.

I, personally, was pissed the **** off, but kept my mouth shut. My question to you is, do you think we should actually be spending so much time brooding over topics that we can't have anything to do with anyway? Such as the war or some law or the president? If so, why? Likewise, if you think we should be keeping our heads down and our eyes averted, why?

 

Well, anyone here who isn't 18 or older shouldn't really be discussing it, since our opinions don't even matter since we can't vote.

 

It's something to do, there's not a thing wrong with wasting time how you want to.

 

Heck yeah we should!

We're citizens of the US (England, Ireland, Canada, Spain, etc.) as well, so they DO affect us!

Besides, many of us here ARE eligible to vote. I'll be 18 in September, so I have to know all this stuff if I want to make an informed decision.

Your dad sounds real old-fashioned.

We should not go into the world ignorant.

EDIT:

So, should we not discuss the decisions of Square Enix regarding Kingdom Hearts, since none of us, to my knowledge are staff there?

 

That's true. We have nothing better to do than worry about politics during the summer.

What does that have to do with anything?

 

1) Many of us are intellectuals and enjoy brain stimulating topics such as politics. We can discuss whatever the heck we want.
2) We, being mere fans, have no say in whether KH:BBS being canceled or whatever (just an example, don't worry). By your *ahem* logic, we should not discuss Kingdom Hearts, as we can't do anything to change their decisions. Or basically, ANYTHING to do with companies that we are not a part of.

 

:sweatdrop:You got me there. I just don't think that people who are unable to vote should worry about politics. They can if they want to, but in the end, it doesn't really matter.

 

i dont' really see the harm in discussing such topcis, like politics even though it probably doesn't affect young people very much. i mean, the only thing is do NOT stress out about it seeing as it is out of our control.

 

One more thing: Using the same logic, anyone under 16 (in America) shouldn't worry about school because they can't get a job anyways.

Those that are under 18 will one day become 18. It's a good idea to get a taste of politics to know what it's like.

 

That logic doesn't apply to school, cause if you don't worry about school, you won't be able to get a real job at all.

 

Yes, we should discuss these things because it will help us to be more educated in the long run when we are able to vote, unlike the young adults of our time.

 

You should discuss things like this. If your living in an area, you have the right to express by mouth. Of course it won't count, but it shows a great sense of knowledge in someone to speak and say something about government. And it will also help you be more knowledgable when you DO get of age to get into such politics.

 

Well there's absolutely nothing wrong with knowing about what is really there and talking about it with those who know and care the same as you. Or even with others who disagree it's fine.

Not questioning things is exactly what is wrong and counterproductive because it causes a country, like the USA, which was founded on all people are equal, to be totally overrun with individuals who don't stop the things that happen to them when they know it isn't what should be done.

Also, even if it doesn't concern us, who cares? Since when was knowledge property?

 

My parents were like that too, because I was always reading up and looking at things and wanting to know the really real world beyond just the drama at high school etc. I think that teens who care about it definitely should voice opinions and learn, think and be a part of things. Sooner or later they will have the right to vote as I do now and I feel if I hadn't taken the time to familiarize myself and care about it, well, I'd be lost more than I am today. Also, politics does involve teenagers and children. Many choices that politicians make involve the well being of kids.

I.e. Video game rankings, Television shows appropriate and inappropriate, what clothes kids can wear to school, what music is good and bad, what laws there are in your area for curfew etc.

These alone are reasons why teens should care. Also, other concerns going on such as the war, our homeland security, economics and such are important to us all. Yes, teens may not be able to make decisions in government but why can't they 'voice' them any way and also debate and learn more, educating themselves? Ignorance is something foolish to actually promote in someone. I can see why some teens would not care the least about it and well that's them. But others who do should not be told to ignore them. Maybe some of these teens that pay attention will actually become more decent politicians than what we have now. Who knows?

 

I hope everyone realises that even when you do come of voting age, the tiny bit of control you have makes little difference in the long run >_> Your vote cannot force politicians to do things, all it does is gently nudge it in the direction you want it to go (and even then this can backfire). As I've always said, the form of democracy that currently exists in the world gives its citizens the illusion of control.

Anyway, back to the main point. I think that it is vital for what is effectively the next generation (and therefore the next wave of leaders) to be as informed as possible about all that is going on in the world, whether it directly affects them or not. Otherwise, how can we be expected to rule over ourselves and the next generation?

 

The way I see it, if we discuss things like this now, we'll only be more prepared to face them as adults. I don't see why we shouldn't "concern" ourselves with these matters as if they will inflict some kind of psychological harm or something. If anything, teens should be encouraged to talk about politics.

 

My dad encourages me to talk about politics and stuff like that. So yeah, we should discuss stuff like this, some of us have only a few years before these issues are our problem, and we should be ready to face them!

 

I think we should be able to talk about issues here. I really don't see the problem with talking about issues. We're going to have to deal with them anyway sooner or later.

 

I believe your Father is 50/50 on this one.
The real question should be, are we ambitious enough to change the world?

People who talk about politics are wasting their own time unless they are politicians. The pure fact is, the country isn't run for the people, the people are run by the country, and we lowly civilians in these giant governments have no place discussing unless we are willing to do something about them.
Like most people talk negatively about immigrants 'They should be sent back to their own country' they moan and groan about stuff like this but really, they will never do anything about it and will always groan and moan. These people are the ones who should not concern themselves with the news of political problems.

But they are people who are really willing to change the world, to fight for they believe is right for the people, these ambitious people are the ones can do something and should concern themselves with it.

Every time the news comes on or I hear a popular story, I talk to my parents about it and how this should be happening and that, instead of that and this, but they do not care, they ignore me and forget.
People may have the ability to conquer the world, but no ambition to actually do it, while other has the ambition but no skill. It is difficult to say whether we should forget or not. Unless we are truly concerned it should not matter.

 

We're inheriting this world from our effed-up parents. We sure as hell should be discussing things like politics, religion, war, etc.